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| Puranas | Divided into sarga, pratisarga, manvantantar, vamsa (genealogical list of kings) & |
| vamsanucharita. 18 main puranas & 18 subsidiary puranas. | |
| Vedas | Meaning “knowledge”. Rigveda (hymns), Yajurveda (sacrificial formulae), Atharvaveda |
| (magical charms & spell), Samveda. Vedas are called aparusheya (not created by man) & | |
| nity | |
| Upanishads | About 200 in number. Deal with philosophy. Oldest & most important are Chhandogya & |
| Brihadranyaka. Other important are Kathak, Isa, Mundaka, Prasna etc. Do not believe in | |
| sacrificial ceremonies. | |
| Brahmanas | Talks about vedic hymns, their application, stories of their origin. Each Brahmana is |
| associated with one of the four VedasAitareya brahmana is associated with Rig Veda & | |
| Satapatha Brahmana with Yajur Veda. | |
| Aranyakas | Meaning ‘the forest books’. They discuss philosophical meditation & sacrifice. |
| Vedangas | Evolved for proper understanding of the Vedas. Six in all: Siksha (phonetics), Kalpa |
| (rituals), Vyakarna, Nirukta (Etymology) Chhanda (metrics) & Jyotisha. | |
| Vedanta | Advaita Vedanta of Adi Sankara. |
Ancient Books & Authors
| 1. | Mudrakshasha (Chandragupta Maurya defeating the Nandas); | Vishakhadatta |
| Devichandraguptam | ||
| 2. | Malavikagnimitram (Pushyamitra Sunga) | Kalidas |
| 3. | Gudavaho (Yasovarman of Kannauj) | Vakpati |
| 4. | Vikramanakadevacharita (Chalukya king Vikramaditya) | Bilhana |
| 5. | Kumarapalacharita | Jayasimha |
| 6. | Hammirakavya | Nyayachandra |
| 7. | Dvayashraya Mahakavya; Sapta Sadhana | Hemchandra |
| 8. | Navashasankacharita | Padmagupta |
| 9. | Bhojaprabandha | Billal |
| 10. | Prithvirajcharita | Chandrabardai |
| 11. | Meghaduta; Raghuvamsa; Kumarasambhava; Vikramorvasiyam | Kalidas |
| Abhijnanashakuntalam (Drama); | ||
| 12. | Mrichakatika | Sudraka |
| 13. | Uttarama-Charita; Malati Madhava | Bhavbhuti |
| 14. | Amarakosha | Amarasimha |
| 15. | SI-YU-KI | Hiuen Tsang |
| 16. | Brahmasiddhanta; Khandakhadya | Brahmagupta |
| 17. | Dasakumaracharita | Dandin |
| 18. | Astanga-Sangraha; Astanga-Hirdaya-Samhita | Vagabhatta |
| 19. | Panchsiddhantika; Suryasiddhanta; Brihatsamhita | Varahamihira |
| 20. | Karpuramanjari; Bala Ramayana; Bala Bharata; Kavyamimamsa; | Rajshekhara |
| Bhuvana Kosha; Haravilasa | ||
| 21. | Adinathacharita (Jaina Narrative) | Vardhamana |
| 22. | Shantinathacharita (Jaina Narrative) | Devachandra |
| 23. | Parsvanathacharita (Jaina Narrative) | Devabhadra |
| 24. | Prithviraja Vijay | Jayanka |
| 25. | Karnasundari | Bilhana |
| 26. | Saraswati Kanthabharana | Bhoja |
| 27. | Dasharupa | Dhananjaya |
| 28. | Harikeli Nataka | Visaladeva |
| 29. | Prasannaraghava | Jayadeva |
| 30. | Siddhanta Shiromani [4 parts – Lilavati, Bijaganita, Grahaganita & | Bhaskaracharya |
| Gola (on Astronomy)] | ||
| 31. | Rajmariganka (On Astronomy) | King Bhoja |
| 32. | Chikitsakalika or Yogamala | Tisata-Vagbhatta’s Son |
| 33. | Mitakasara | Vijnanaeshvara |
| 34. | Nitishastra (On Polity) | Mathara |
| 35. | Nitisara (On Polity) | Kamandaka |
| 36. | Sushruta Samhita (encyclopedia on surgery) | Sushruta |
| 37. | Charaka Samhita (Teachings of Atreya) | Charaka |
| 38. | Buddhacharita, Vajrasuchi, Suandarananda | Asvaghosha |
| 39. | Mahabhasya | Patanjali |
| 40. | Harshacharita, Kadambari | Banabhatta |
| 41. | Ravan Vadha | Bhattin |
,
Indian religious books are a vast and complex subject, but they can be broadly divided into two categories: the Vedas and the Smritis. The Vedas are the oldest and most sacred texts of Hinduism-2/”>Hinduism, and they are believed to be revealed knowledge from the gods. The Smritis are a collection of texts that are based on the Vedas, but they are not considered to be as sacred.
The Vedas are divided into four parts: the Rig Veda, the Yajur Veda, the Sama Veda, and the Atharva Veda. The Rig Veda is the oldest and most important of the Vedas, and it contains hymns to the gods. The Yajur Veda contains sacrificial formulas, the Sama Veda contains melodies for the hymns, and the Atharva Veda contains spells and incantations.
The Smritis are a collection of texts that are based on the Vedas, but they are not considered to be as sacred. The most important Smritis are the Dharmashastras, which are texts on law and morality; the Arthashastras, which are texts on economics and politics; and the Kamasutras, which are texts on love and sexuality.
The Vedas and the Smritis are the foundation of Hindu religion, and they have been interpreted and reinterpreted by scholars and philosophers for centuries. They are a rich source of wisdom and guidance, and they continue to be relevant to Hindus today.
In addition to the Vedas and the Smritis, there are a number of other important Indian religious texts. These include the Upanishads, which are philosophical texts that explore the nature of reality; the Bhagavad Gita, which is a dialogue between the warrior Arjuna and his charioteer Krishna; the Ramayana, which is an epic poem about the hero Rama; and The Mahabharata, which is an even longer epic poem about the Kurukshetra War.
These texts are all part of the Hindu tradition, and they have had a profound influence on Indian culture and Society. They are still read and studied by Hindus today, and they continue to provide guidance and inspiration.
The Vedas are the oldest scriptures of Hinduism, and they are considered to be the most sacred. The Vedas are a collection of hymns, rituals, and philosophical texts that were revealed to the ancient sages. The Vedas are divided into four parts: the Rig Veda, the Yajur Veda, the Sama Veda, and the Atharva Veda.
The Rig Veda is the oldest and most important of the Vedas. It contains hymns to the gods, and it is considered to be the foundation of Hindu religion. The Yajur Veda contains sacrificial formulas, and it is used in Vedic rituals. The Sama Veda contains melodies for the hymns of the Rig Veda, and it is used in Vedic rituals. The Atharva Veda contains spells and incantations, and it is used for healing and protection.
The Upanishads are philosophical texts that are part of the Vedas. The Upanishads explore the nature of reality, the soul, and the relationship between the individual and the divine. The Upanishads are considered to be the source of Hindu philosophy.
The Bhagavad Gita is a dialogue between the warrior Arjuna and his charioteer Krishna. The Bhagavad Gita is set on the eve of the Kurukshetra War, and it is a discussion of the nature of duty, action, and the soul. The Bhagavad Gita is one of the most important texts in Hinduism, and it is widely read and studied.
The Ramayana is an epic poem about the hero Rama. The Ramayana tells the story of Rama’s exile from his kingdom, his battle with the demon Ravana, and his eventual return to his kingdom. The Ramayana is one of the most popular texts in Hinduism, and it is widely read and studied.
The Mahabharata is an even longer epic poem than the Ramayana. The Mahabharata tells the story of the Kurukshetra War, which was fought between the Pandavas and the Kauravas. The Mahabharata is a complex and multi-layered text, and it is considered to be one of the greatest works of literature in the world.
These are just a few of the many important Indian religious texts. These texts have had a profound influence on Indian culture and society, and they continue to be read and studied by Hindus today.
What is the difference between Hinduism and Buddhism-2/”>Buddhism?
Hinduism and Buddhism are two of the world’s oldest religions, and they share many similarities. Both religions originated in India, and they both have a rich history and tradition. However, there are also some important differences between the two religions.
One of the main differences between Hinduism and Buddhism is their view of the world. Hinduism is a polytheistic religion, which means that it believes in many gods. Buddhism, on the other hand, is a non-theistic religion, which means that it does not believe in any gods.
Another difference between Hinduism and Buddhism is their view of the afterlife. Hinduism believes in reincarnation, which is the belief that the soul is reborn into a new body after death. Buddhism, on the other hand, does not believe in reincarnation.
Finally, Hinduism and Buddhism have different views on the goal of life. Hinduism believes that the goal of life is to achieve moksha, which is liberation from the cycle of rebirth. Buddhism, on the other hand, believes that the goal of life is to achieve nirvana, which is a state of perfect peace and happiness.
What are the four Vedas?
The Vedas are the oldest scriptures of Hinduism. They are a collection of hymns, prayers, and rituals that were written in Sanskrit over 3,000 years ago. The Vedas are divided into four parts: the Rig Veda, the Yajur Veda, the Sama Veda, and the Atharva Veda.
The Rig Veda is the oldest and most important of the Vedas. It contains over 1,000 hymns that are dedicated to the gods of Hinduism. The Yajur Veda is a collection of sacrificial formulas that were used in ancient Hindu rituals. The Sama Veda is a collection of melodies that were used in ancient Hindu rituals. The Atharva Veda is a collection of spells and incantations that were used in ancient Hindu rituals.
The Vedas are considered to be the most sacred texts of Hinduism. They are the foundation of Hindu religion and philosophy.
What is the Bhagavad Gita?
The Bhagavad Gita is a Hindu scripture that is part of the Mahabharata. It is a dialogue between the warrior Arjuna and his charioteer Krishna, who is an incarnation of the god Vishnu. The Bhagavad Gita is set on the eve of the Kurukshetra War, and it explores the themes of duty, action, and devotion.
The Bhagavad Gita is one of the most important texts in Hinduism. It has been interpreted in many different ways, and it has been used to justify a wide range of beliefs and practices.
What is the Ramayana?
The Ramayana is an ancient Indian epic poem that tells the story of Rama, a prince who is exiled from his kingdom and must fight to reclaim his throne. The Ramayana is one of the most popular and influential works of Indian Literature. It has been translated into many languages and has been adapted into numerous films, television shows, and plays.
The Ramayana is a story of good versus evil, and it teaches the importance of duty, courage, and devotion. It is a story that has been told and retold for centuries, and it continues to inspire people all over the world.
What is the Mahabharata?
The Mahabharata is an ancient Indian epic poem that tells the story of the Kurukshetra War. The Mahabharata is one of the longest epic poems in the world, and it is considered to be one of the greatest works of Indian literature.
The Mahabharata is a story of good versus evil, and it teaches the importance of duty, courage, and devotion. It is a story that has been told and retold for centuries, and it continues to inspire people all over the world.
What is the Upanishads?
The Upanishads are a collection of Hindu scriptures that are considered to be the source of Hindu philosophy. The Upanishads are a dialogue between a teacher and a student, and they explore the nature of reality, the soul, and the universe.
The Upanishads are one of the most important texts in Hinduism. They have been interpreted in many different ways, and they have been used to justify a wide range of beliefs and practices.
What is the Yoga/”>Yoga Sutras?
The Yoga Sutras are a collection of Hindu scriptures that are considered to be the foundation of yoga. The Yoga Sutras were written by Patanjali over 2,000 years ago, and they outline the eight limbs of yoga, which are a set of practices that lead to liberation from suffering.
The Yoga Sutras are one of the most important texts in Hinduism. They have been interpreted in many different ways, and they have been used to justify a wide range of beliefs and practices.
Sure, here are some MCQs about Indian culture and history:
-
Which of the following is not a major Religion in India?
(A) Hinduism
(B) Buddhism
(C) Christianity
(D) Islam -
The Taj Mahal is a famous monument located in which Indian city?
(A) Delhi
(B) Agra
(C) Jaipur
(D) Mumbai -
The national animal of India is the:
(A) tiger
(B) elephant
(C) lion
(D) rhinoceros -
The national flower of India is the:
(A) lotus
(B) marigold
(C) rose
(D) jasmine -
The national language of India is:
(A) Hindi
(B) English
(C) Bengali
(D) Tamil -
The capital of India is:
(A) New Delhi
(B) Mumbai
(C) Chennai
(D) Kolkata -
India is a:
(A) republic
(B) Monarchy
(C) Dictatorship
(D) federation -
The current prime minister of India is:
(A) Narendra Modi
(B) Rahul Gandhi
(C) Sonia Gandhi
(D) Manmohan Singh -
The Population of India is over:
(A) 1 billion
(B) 2 billion
(C) 3 billion
(D) 4 billion -
India is a member of the:
(A) United Nations
(B) NATO
(C) G20
(D) all of the above
I hope these questions were helpful!